Yes, your children can get a library card when the parent or guardian fills out and signs an application, presents their ID with a Corpus Christi address, and shows additional documentation for the minor. Acceptable documentation includes but is not limited to their school ID, report card, birth certificate, or social security card. 

If your Corpus Christi Public Library Resident Card has expired, simply visit any branch for a free renewal. We will update your contact information, so please bring your photo identification card and verification of residency.

It's the patron's responsibility to report lost or stolen cards. You can do this at any branch. We can issue a new card with a different number once you provide photo identification and verify your current residency. Replacement cards are provided for a fee of $2.00.

Borrowing books is just one of the things you can do with a library card. You can download the CloudLibrary app or view it from your computer, where you can access our eBooks, audiobooks, and digital magazine collections. (Ask us about our Texas CloudLink Partnership.) You can also access the TexShare Databases, an invaluable collection of research tools. Your library card number also allows you access to our public computers with internet access and Microsoft applications. Some restrictions will apply for cards that are not currently in good standing, and for Juvenile and Teen cards.

Adult and Youth Residents or Non-Residents may borrow the following:

• Unlimited books, DVDs, Blu-rays, Books on CD
• Unlimited digital (through CloudLibrary): books, audiobooks, and magazines
• 25 New Books
• 25 CDs
• 5 Print magazines (current issues excluded)
• 5 New DVDs and/or Blu-rays/New Books on CD/New

Limited Use cards may borrow one print item at a time and access digital resources. 
Juvenile and Teen cards may not access digital resources through CloudLibrary.

Simply take the items you wish to borrow to the Circulation Desk or Self-Checkout Station and provide your library card. You will receive a receipt with the due date for your records. You can also set your notifications to receive a due date receipt by email or by phone. 

Log into your library account through our Online Catalog and request items to be held. You can also request a specific pickup location and the item will be transferred for you. Items are held for seven days before being returned to the shelves.

Corpus Christi Public Libraries offers InterLibrary Loan Service  and can request items from libraries across the nation. The timeframes and chances of success in borrowing an item from another library system depend on the number of copies available, the location of the libraries, and the discretion of the lending system. There is a $2.75 fee for this service as well as any additional fees requested from the lending library.

Items on your account will automatically renew on their due dates up to a maximum of four, 14-day periods. Exceptions: Items on Hold, and Interlibrary Loans will not be renewed. To check due dates, you may access your account at https://corpustx.bywatersolutions.com/, or call any of our six locations. 

You can return an item in person or via the book drop located outside each branch library. An item can be returned to any library, and an item returned in the book drop after hours will be considered returned that day when processed the next morning. (Book drops are maintained as a convenience for the patron and the patron remains liable for all materials deposited in book drops until such items are checked in by library staff. The library cannot guarantee the security of items deposited in book drops and will not waive charges on items claimed to have been stolen from book drops.)

Parents or legal guardians may choose from one of the following cards for their child:

• Youth – For children ages 0 to 17
• Juvenile – For children ages 0 to 17
• Teen – For children ages 13 to 17

The Youth Card, for ages 0 to 17, provides full access to any materials from all library collections, access to log into library computers, and all digital resources provided by the library. It also allows you to choose your own design.

The Juvenile Card, for ages 0 to 17, allows users to check out any material that is part of the juvenile collection only. Those items are intended for ages 0 to 12. It includes items that have JBD, EASY, or J in one of the top two lines of the call number. The card has a green design.

The Juvenile Card does not allow users to log into library computers if the computers have access to the internet since we cannot block every site or digital collection intended for older audiences. However, the Juvenile Card does allow access to some digital resources, but not CloudLibrary. 

The Teen Card, for ages 13 to 17, allows users to check out any material that is part of the juvenile collection (0 to 12) or teen collections (13 to 17). It includes items that have JBD, EASY, J, or TEEN in one of the top two lines of the call number. The card has a blue design.

The Teen Card does not allow users to log into library computers if the computers have access to the internet since we cannot block every site or digital collection intended for older audiences. However, the Teen Card does allow access to some digital resources, but not CloudLibrary. 

If a child has an existing Youth Card, parents or legal guardians may choose to keep it or change it to a Juvenile or Teen Card. 

If a child has an existing Juvenile Card, and turns 13, parents or legal guardians may choose to keep it or change it to a Youth or Teen Card. 

Parents or legal guardians should still monitor their children in the library and their selection of material, regardless of the library card option selected.

Yes. You also have access to the TexShare databases, Birds of the World, Data Axle, and Morningstar.

Teen cards are only for ages 13-17. If you want your 12-year-old to have access to teen books, getting a Youth Card will allow them to check out teen books. 

The Juvenile and Teen cards are restricted based on the collection, not the maturity or appropriateness of the content.  Any items outside of the juvenile (and teen) collections are automatically blocked. They are welcome to do their research in the library, you can check out the material for them on your Adult Card, or you can switch them to a Youth Card. 

No. As long as the child has their library card with them, you do not have to be present. We recommend anyone under the age of 15 be accompanied by an adult or older sibling in the library.

It depends on the age and maturity of the child. Library staff are unable to provide the level of supervision that children need and are unable to act in place of the parent. Library users of any age who visit the library are expected to follow our policies. We recommend anyone under the age of 15 be accompanied by an adult or older sibling.

Yes. If your child is without you, they can only receive a guest pass if they have a Youth Card account and forgot their card or if it’s blocked due to fines. Minors without an adult who do not have a library account, or if they have a Juvenile or Teen Card accounts will not be given guest passes.